Is iPhone 5 worth it? FWT Review

Video review: Is iPhone 5 worth it?

iPhone5: Is It Worth The Money?Upgrade Your Life 2:34 | 117463 viewsBecky Worley weighs the specs of the latest iPhone.- edits FWT

Apple’s new iPhone 5 is the biggest redesign of the hit smartphone since it launched in 2007. Our video review runs through the differences between iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S, to work out whether this is an essential upgrade.

As with all Apple products, you’re unlikely to see iPhone 5 discounted during the next 12 months, so buying early is not a bad idea. However early sign suggest it’s bombing so eh who knows?

It’s also worth considering switching network – the new handset’s fast ‘4G’ connection will only work on EE’s new 4G network in the UK, so if you want to get the most out of the phone, it might pay to switch.

Is it worth upgrading if you own iPhone 4S?
Would I upgrade out of cycle if I had the iPhone 4S? No. But if you have an iPhone 4 or older, I say reach for the iPhone 5 if you can. Personally, I have been using a Samsung Galaxy SII for the last 6 months and I will be switching back to the iPhone 5 now that it has faster data, with the hope that my battery will last all day.

Bigger Screen
The body of the iPhone 5 has been elongated, adding about a quarter inch to the screen height without changing the width. This will allow for HD video to display in its true 16:9 format and give game designers more real estate to work with. While the body is longer, the iPhone 5 is 18% thinner than the iPhone 4S — and 20% lighter.

[Related content: Apple launches biggest redesign of iPhone]Faster Processor
The brains of the iPhone have been given a significant bump and now have a faster processor than even the new iPad. According to Apple, the new A6 chipset will result in applications loading twice as fast, graphics running smoother and photos capturing 40% faster.
The Camera
The camera has gotten 25% smaller, has better low light processing, and can produce panoramic images. The video camera can shoot 1080p HD video, has improved video stabilization, and allows you to take still pictures simultaneously while you shoot video. Apple’s video conferencing app, Facetime, will now transmit HD video, and Facetime can be enabled over cellular networks and WiFi alike.

LTE Data & Battery Life
The new iPhone will connect up with the UK’s EE 4G network – which means that it may be worth switching network to enjoy all that iPhone 5 can offer. This will mean significant increases in web browsing and download speeds. This data network is a notorious drain on battery life, so Apple made a big call-out that the battery life of the phone will remain consistent if not a little better (10% improvement overall) than battery life on past iPhones. They claim 8 hours of talk time, 225 hours of stand-by, and 8 hours of LTE web browsing.

Smaller Dock Connector
The 30-pin dock connector that has come standard on every iPhone to date was certainly due for an upgrade. It takes up a lot of space, and it was big entry spot for dust and moisture. Apple has introduced an 80% smaller connector they are calling Lightning that can be plugged into the phone in any direction, offers faster data transfer, and better durability. This switch will be painful and costly as users are forced to buy extra charging cables, docking speakers/alarm clocks or cases. Apple will be selling adapters, but they will not ship until October.
IOS 6
The IOS operating system has over 200 changes, the biggest of which is turn-by-turn navigation using Apple’s own maps and 3D bird’s-eye images which we all know have gone ass up making this phone fit for the junk heap. There will be deeper social media integration within the operating system for posting to Facebook and Tweeting, and the web browser will now allow a full screen view that takes advantage of the bigger screen. All of which hardly justifies the skybusting price-tag.

Price, Timing, and Design Options
The new iPhone will come in black and white with a new, brushed metal back. It will be available for pre-order September 14th and in stores September 21st. The 16GB model will retail for $199, 32GB for $299, 64GB for $399. The iPhone 4S goes down in price to $99. Initial countries where the iPhone 5 will be available: United States, Canada, UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, France, and Australia, Availability in more countries by the end of the year.

Is it Worth the Upgrade?
Not really… The iPhone 4S was only a superficial upgrade to the device but still operates a better map system and is pretty quick with the right provider. I did not recommend a 4S upgrade except for those who really needed a new phone. But the iPhone 5 claims to be an iterative step forward from Apple albeit small and compared to Samsung … hmm yep you’re right it’s going to struggle to hold up. The faster processor, speed increases from LTE data networks, a slightly better and faster camera, and shakey battery life despite the LTE drain (real world tests pending), make this a worthy purchase if you resist the urge to change, are a sucker for Apple products (even if going pear shaped) and save money.